Unexpected Encounter (Singleton) by Taige Crenshaw Page A

song I’m writing and I can’t nail it down. When that happens, I might get a little testy.”
    “Really? I didn’t see your testiness.” Lila tilted her head to the side. “Whenever I came by or you came to my place, it didn’t seem like anything was wrong.”
    “I’m good at hiding it and I let it go when I’m with you.” Driscoll shook his head. “I’ve learned to compartmentalize. But it’s been building slowly. Thanks for saving me from Irene and Aida’s wrath.”
    He approached Lila and she straightened, lifting her head. Driscoll kissed her and stared into her gaze.
    “Didn’t you have plans today with your friends?”
    “We had just ordered lunch. But Aja got called in and so did Colby, so they canceled their order and Storm and I stayed and had lunch.” Lila shrugged. “We were just parting ways when Irene called. Come on, let’s take a stroll. Get you to chill so Irene and Aida don’t follow through with their threats.”
    “Those two would do it too.” He smiled sheepishly. “I guess I have been a bit surly. So lead on, my dear.”
    “I bet they would. The duo is something else.” Lila slid her hand into the crook of his elbow.
    “They are.” Driscoll led her down the steps and waited until they were at the end of the driveway before saying, “Don’t ever tell them I said this, but I do enjoy their being the way they are. Irene’s organization skills and handling all the little details lets me not have to worry about missing something I need to know about. And Aida takes care of my home, making sure it runs smoothly. I’d be lost without either of them.”
    “I’m curious how you ended up with them working for you.” Lila squeezed his arm. “Also when I’m here, I never see them arrive, but they conveniently pop up when I’m leaving for the day. It is kinda disconcerting. There isn’t even a car in your drive for either of them.”
    Driscoll laughed then said, “They do it deliberately. They like to build on the mystique that they see all and know all. They used to live in the house and it was good. We weren’t home that often so we had space when we traveled instead of being underfoot. When I retired, they decided they would move out before we killed each other from being in each other’s company so much.” He exited the side gate then strolled with her down the walk.
    “Irene lives a few houses over that direction.” He pointed behind him then gestured up ahead. “And Aida is that way. Close enough they can walk to work and if anything comes up they can be available. Once they are off the clock for the day, I don’t like to disturb them. Although they get pissy when I’m working and come check on me even when they have stopped work for the day and gone home. They say it is their task to make sure I eat, sleep and do daily things like bathe. I tend to get focused and block everything out. Anyway, back to them appearing out of nowhere and in time for when you leave. When they pop up is because they probably studied your pattern and know when you leave to go to work. So it makes it seem like they come out of nowhere.”
    “Oh… That explains it.” Lila shook her head, laughing. “I wondered if they had the house bugged or something to know what happens. I didn’t realize they didn’t live in the house.”
    “Nope. They have their own homes.”
    “Space is good to have.” Lila leaned against him as they walked. “You get focused when working and block everything else out, huh?”
    “Yep.” Driscoll chuckled ruefully. “That sort of leads to how they ended up working for me.”
    “Tell me.”
    He glanced up as they passed Aida’s place. “I met Aida first. She was the girlfriend of one of my band members. They’d been together for a long time.” He cleared his throat as it got thick. “He died in the crash. They were engaged to be married.”
    “Oh no.” Lila hugged him. “That must be hard on her.”
    “Yeah. She still misses him, as do all of